Holly Cairns
Question:134. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will adjust upwards the income from work that is not taken into account to qualify for disability allowance. [24298/23]
View answerTuesday, 23 May 2023
Questions (134)
Written answers
Disability Allowance is structured to support recipients to avail of work opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment.
Changes made across a range of payments in the last three budgets have targeted employment. Budget 2023 was the third successive budget that the Government has progressively increased earnings disregards, which will see people with disabilities retaining more of their payments while in employment.
The earnings disregard for recipients of Disability Allowance increased by almost 38% over the last three budgets. It is currently set at €165 per week where a person can retain the full amount of their payment. Then, between €165 and €375 a 50% taper on earnings applies. The maximum a person can earn and still keep a portion of their Disability Allowance payment is €495.10 per week .
Any further changes to the earnings disregards would have to be considered in a budgetary context.